Planning - Managers are responsible for setting the course of action to achieve organisational objectives, by setting tactical and strategic objectives.
Communication - Managers must instruct and coordinate their teams and subordinates to maximise efficiency and achieve objectives, and build motivation and morale among the workforce.
Coordinating - Managers have the responsibility for ensuring that the different functional departments strive to achieve the goals of the organisation.
Controlling - Managers are responsible for the performance, health and safety of their teams.
Organising - Managers must organise and allocate resources to different functions of operations, and delegate tasks to workers to maximise productive efficiency.
Leader - Someone who influences and inspires others to get things done.
Managers - Superiors who organise the team to focus on achieving specific goals within a definite time frame.
Managers focus on the completion of tasks, and follow predetermined rules and policies set by the organisation to keep order and control over their team.
Leaders focus on motivating followers to achieve goals and challenge the status quo in order to move themselves and the organisation forward. They foster a culture of change and independence.
Managers direct and control subordinates, keeping an eye on them as they complete their tasks. Subordinates listen because of the manager’s authority.
Leaders inspire followers to act with their own actions, advocate a more laissez-faire approach as they trust subordinates to complete tasks to the best of their abilities. Leaders are listened to because of mutual respect and admiration.
Autocratic - A leader who retains all decision-making power and prefers to not delegate any responsibilities to subordinates. Autocratic leaders lack trust in subordinates’ ability to align themselves with the organisation’s vision, and hence prefer to govern all tasks.
Paternalistic - A leader who treats their employees as if they were family; focusing on nurture and development of employees and guiding them through consultation. Paternalistic leaders have immense trust in the abilities of subordinates, and act in the best interest of all employees.
Democratic - A leader who involves employees in the decision-making process, entrusting them to make informed decisions that are aligned with the vision and core values of the organisation. Democratic leaders place heavy emphasis on delegation, and organisations usually enjoy high staff morale as employees feel appreciated.
Laissez-Faire - A leader who has minimal direct input in the work of employees, allowing subordinates autonomy to make decisions and complete tasks on their own. Laissez-Faire leaders avoid micro-management, and are satisfied as long as employees complete all tasks and fulfil responsibilities entrusted to them.
Situational Leadership - A leader who does not adopt a single ideology, and tends to vary their leadership style according to the conditions of the situation at hand. For example, they may adopt a more autocratic style for major decisions and tasks that have a direct impact in operations, while adopting a laissez-faire approach to non-essential tasks and responsibilities.